I'm not a Vegan (yet). Strongly considering becoming a full-fledged vegetarian. Mostly because every time I eat meat anymore I feel yucky. Especially feel bad after eating pork. Never ever thought I would say that. When I eat vegetarian I feel nourished and energetic. I definitely try to avoid " processed fake food" I actually strive to eat as a Nurtitarian. Basically vegetarian but the highest nutrient contents possible. My biggest obstacles are it's new for me and I have to plan a little more. Second obstacle is pleasing my husband too. I think he may truly agree soon.

I'm an eternal optimist. I found the Secret; the Eat to Live plan. I will be a Success Story ! I will be wearing that Little Black Dress. The Secret is consistency!

Nicole makes some interesting points; however, not all parts of the country are as committed to or have access to locally-grown produce, cage-free, or grass-fed foods. Many of our nation's poorest citizens eat things like "fruit cocktail" in the can as their fruit portions for the day. While it's not the healthiest choice, it could be their only one. (And more than a few people in other social classes have the same lack of exposure to healthy living as well.)

I saw an inspirational story on television once about some farmers in New York or Maryland who provide school children with two bags of fresh fruits and vegetables at the beginning of every week. They are aware that if they didn't share the wealth of food and information about healthy eating, many of those children and their families would have no fresh fruits or vegetables at all. I find their sacrifice, caring, and willingness to share what they have demonstrates a unique perspective about the plight of others!

I think it's discouraging and may turn people off to healthier foods options when they are left with the impression that those who have committed to healthier lifestyles appear arrogant or judgmental. It certainly doesn't engender confidence or inspiration when people feel judged by those who are simply fortunate to know and do better with their lifestyle choices.

In fact, I don't recall learning anything about the vegan lifestyle over my lifetime ... this could be a forum where helpful information about it could be shared -- I know I'd like to learn more, perhaps others would too.

Thanks again for the thread, I'll continue to check in!!

I'M WORKING WITH PURPOSE TO ACHIEVE MY GOAL!!!

DAILY AFFIRMATION: "I love to move my body! I feel fat burning off of me with the heat of a supernova! I eat the right amount of calories and healthy foods, and I am healthy, happy, and stress free!"

I respect every person's choice to eat as he or she chooses. Eating is complex, and so are our attitudes, memories and associations with different foods. Many people have the desire to beliefs to eat a certain way but run into other obstacles that make it challenging. I don't consider that weakness or lack of commitment, although I know some others do.

Personally, veganism is not for me. I find it much more beneficial to the environment to eat local, seasonal, minimally processed foods. I am, however, a vegetarian for ethical and environmental reasons, and choose cage-free eggs from a local farm as well as organic, grass-fed dairy products as often as possible. I am not sure whether I believe veganism or vegetarianism is "natural" or even "healthier" than an omnivorous diet (or vice versa); I do believe that the human body is amazingly adaptable and will find a way to adapt to almost any kind of diet. Human history has shown that. People can live and thrive on a WIDE variety of diets that include or exclude animal products and in different amounts.

I think every body responds differently to different types of diets. Some people can thrive as vegan or vegetarian. Others can't--even if they ate exactly the same way. As long as we are all striving to be our best people and do good, I think that is what matters most.

Personally, as a vegetarian for 10+ years, I still accept the fact that I might not be veg forever. At some point, eating meat may make more sense to me than abstaining from it. I'm open minded to that. These days, finding sustainably and ethically raised meat is so easy that people with those concerns have a lot of options these days, too.

While there are a few people in my office who eat vegan, they seem unhappy with their choice and all of them are far too thin (skeletal bodies!) A couple of them talk about their desire to eat bacon every now and again, and how a good steak is something they sorely miss. One of them is vegan against his own wishes: his wife forces him to eat this way, and he's a grown man who has to hide "snacks" in his own home. Either they're not fully committed to their vegan lifestyle, or they actually don't know enough about how to do it (the right way, if there is such a thing). Either way, I'm not impressed enough to follow along.

Everything I do know about eating this way is negative and I'm so new at healthy living, that I haven't taken the time to learn anything new at this point (I'm still a newbie at SP).

I can say that while learning to eat healthier with SP, I am willing to consider all healthy lifestyle changes; however, at this time, I am not willing to make such a drastic change based on my exposure to it.

I think at some point, I will look for the resources on this site to help inform me. I'll check back with this thread also, to see if I can learn anything else new. Thanks for posting this subject!

Edited by: WOMANATWORK1 at: 8/19/2012 (12:37)

I'M WORKING WITH PURPOSE TO ACHIEVE MY GOAL!!!

DAILY AFFIRMATION: "I love to move my body! I feel fat burning off of me with the heat of a supernova! I eat the right amount of calories and healthy foods, and I am healthy, happy, and stress free!"

after listening a lot of doctors and nutritionists i have been vegan for 6 months. any doctor that tells you must eat meat and dairy is a bad doctor. very few doctors spend the time to learn about nutrition and prevention (their is no money to be made if people don't get sick). the human body (our teeth and intestines) were not designed to eat meat, plus without tools we can't eat meat so our natural food is what we can just gather and eat.

Thank you for pointing out that there are different types of vegan. I was thinking mostly of dietary, but there are Ethical and Environmental Veganism, and probably some others as well.

I could use advice on this. Does someone know, were the Jains in India the original promoters of vegetarianism and veganism?

Since cows are so damaging to the environment because they are ruminants and their systems produce methane, I've been trying to eat less cheese and milk, but am not very successful yet. I love cheese, and so many things contain milk! Am trying to use more soy instead. Want to try making a low salt tofu stew.

If we are to go on living together on this Earth, we must all be responsible for it. ~ Kofi Annan

To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival. ~ Wendell Barry

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